“The Red Lotus of Chastity” Somadeva “The Red Lotus of Chastity”

Somadeva Part of Kathasaritsagara, ("Ocean of Rivers of Stories") Famous 11th-century collection of Indian legends, fairy tales and folk tales Retold by a Brahmin named Somadeva. Compiled for the entertainment of the queen, wife of the king of Kashmir (r. 1063-81). Somadeva included in this volume many stories which he had heard from others and which had their origin in folk-literature.

Somadeva Collection has had considerable influence on countries which were in close touch with India during the Middle Ages. Telling of stories is a cultural universal, common to basic and complex societies alike. Folktales comprise a large part of literature in all languages. The earliest tales of this kind are traced to about 2800 B.C. in Egypt.

Somadeva There is the same affinity between the folk tales of different countries. Some of the folktales of Kashmir have close parallels in other countries.

Folktale and myth elements The telling of tales - oral skill. Tale within a tale. The God Shiva. Dreams. Testing of fidelity The good trickster.

Folktale and myth elements The bad trickster. Four merchants Nun Nun's pupil The not-so-holy nuns and priests. Belief in former life. Remembering past existences. Belief in many hells.

Folktale and myth elements Use of disguises. Use of charms and folk medicines. Sanctity and desecration of temples.

Social values in classical India Caste-based society. Importance of merchant class. In Hinduism, Artha is one of the four goals of life. It is considered to be a noble goal. Concept includes achieving widespread fame, garnering wealth and having an elevated social standing. It is the second of the four goals, the other three being dharma (righteousness), kama (physical or emotional pleasure) and moksha (liberation).

Social values in classical India Artha is one of the duties of a person in the second stage of life, the householder stage. During this a person must accumulate as much wealth as possible, without being greedy Help and support his family Be able to give to noble charitable works. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artha

Social values in classical India Importance of having male progeny. Sacrifices. Marriage customs. Parents seek mates for children. Devasmita leaves her home even though her father objected to the marriage. Importance of love in marriage. Love comes after marriage. Jealousy as a universal. Importance of fidelity and chastity.

Social values in classical India Qualities of the good wife: fidelity and chastity manager of the household while husband is away clever virtuous intelligent cunning good judge of character